Power sector emissions
Breakthrough in the Netherlands underlines case for EU emissions performance standard
Dutch energy utility Vatenfall-Nuon today agreed to suspend a planned coal gasification plant and to an emissions performance standard for all new power plants. The emissions performance standard is set at 360 gram CO2 per kilowatt-hour, which is less than half the emissions of a regular coal power plant. The Greens have long pushed for an EU emissions performance standard for power plants and welcomed the announcement, a European first, as paving the way for an EU emissions performance standard (1). Commenting on the news, Green MEP and EP emissions rapporteur Bas Eickhout said:
"This decision is a real breakthrough for reducing emissions from the power sector and undelines the case for an EU emissions performance standard. The EU Commission's concerns that an EU EPS would undermine the EU's emissions trading scheme are totally unfounded. The Commission and member states should now come forward with a proposal for an EU EPS.
The next ten years are crucial for investments in the power sector; during this time the EU needs to replace 1 trillion Euros in energy-related equipment. Replacing these with energy-efficient and climate friendly technology result in lower energy bills. EU EPS helps to achieve this and keeps us from a lock-in of high carbon infrastructures".
(1) EU EPS
